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Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso thinks Formula 1 observers should calm down a little after last weekend’s Suzuka race left media looking answers on how to improve the racing.
Following an already tepid Chinese Grand Prix, Japan’s Suzuka race was hampered by a lack of action as the circuit’s demanding layout meant dirty air made it tough for cars to race each other closely, and a lack of tyre degradation also cancelled out most strategic opportunities. Other than Lewis Hamilton passing Isack Hadjar early doors, the remaining drivers in the top 10 finished in the same position they started from.
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing, Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing Team
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing, Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing TeamAndy Hone / Motorsport Images
Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
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“Now we are in constant search for more overtaking, more pitstops, [bringing] all the teams closer together. And there are other beautiful categories to search and to watch that. This is Formula 1 and we have to love it as it is.”
Alonso thinks the huge media attention around the series hasn’t helped either. “I think less media will be my [solution],” he added.
“Honestly, it’s not your fault. It’s just the amount of press conferences we do; fan forums, more questions after FP2, our team’s own social media debriefs and then qualifying and the race. When you multiply that for 20 drivers plus team principals, I think we talk too much.”
Photos from Bahrain – Thursday
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, FerrariBryn Lennon – Getty Images
Bryn Lennon – Getty Images
Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes relaxes in the Paddock
Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes relaxes in the PaddockSam Bagnall / Motorsport Images
Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images
Nico Hulkenberg, Kick Sauber
Nico Hulkenberg, Kick SauberAndy Hone / Motorsport Images
Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
Mattia Binotto, COO and CTO, Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber talks with team Ferrari team members
Mattia Binotto, COO and CTO, Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber talks with team Ferrari team membersSam Bagnall / Motorsport Images
Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images
Frederic Vasseur, Team Principal and General Manager, Scuderia Ferrari
Frederic Vasseur, Team Principal and General Manager, Scuderia FerrariSam Bagnall / Motorsport Images
Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images
Ryo Hirakawa, Haas reserve driver
Ryo Hirakawa, Haas reserve driverPeter Fox – Getty Images
Peter Fox – Getty Images
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Oscar Piastri, McLarenZak Mauger / Motorsport Images
Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes, Peter Bonnington, Race Engineer Mercedes
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes, Peter Bonnington, Race Engineer MercedesZak Mauger / Motorsport Images
Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
Alex Albon, Williams
Alex Albon, WilliamsBryn Lennon – Formula 1
Bryn Lennon – Formula 1
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin RacingZak Mauger / Motorsport Images
Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
Frederic Vasseur, Ferrari
Frederic Vasseur, FerrariClive Mason – Getty Images
Clive Mason – Getty Images
Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls
Isack Hadjar, Racing BullsRudy Carezzevoli / Motorsport Images
Rudy Carezzevoli / Motorsport Images
Lando Norris, McLaren
Lando Norris, McLarenSam Bagnall / Motorsport Images
Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, FerrariSam Bagnall / Motorsport Images
Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images
George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, MercedesSam Bloxham / Motorsport Images
Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images
Pierre Gasly, Alpine
Pierre Gasly, AlpinePeter Fox – Getty Images
Peter Fox – Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, FerrariMark Thompson – Getty Images
Mark Thompson – Getty Images
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin RacingZak Mauger / Motorsport Images
Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
Alex Albon, Williams
Alex Albon, WilliamsRudy Carezzevoli – Getty Images
Rudy Carezzevoli – Getty Images
Luke Browning, Williams
Luke Browning, WilliamsMark Sutton / Motorsport Images
Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Max Verstappen, Red Bull RacingAndy Hone / Motorsport Images
Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, FerrariClive Rose / Getty Images
Clive Rose / Getty Images
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, MercedesAndy Hone / Motorsport Images
Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
Carlos Sainz, Williams
Carlos Sainz, WilliamsFadel Senna – AFP – Getty Images
Fadel Senna – AFP – Getty Images
Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team
Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 TeamSam Bagnall / Motorsport Images
Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, FerrariKym Illman (Getty Images)
Kym Illman (Getty Images)
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin RacingZak Mauger / Motorsport Images
Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls
Liam Lawson, Racing BullsClive Rose / Getty Images
Clive Rose / Getty Images
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, MercedesFadel Senna – AFP – Getty Images
Fadel Senna – AFP – Getty Images
Jack Doohan, Alpine
Jack Doohan, AlpineSam Bagnall / Motorsport Images
Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images
Ryo Hirakawa, Haas
Ryo Hirakawa, HaasPeter Fox – Getty Images
Peter Fox – Getty Images
Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls
Isack Hadjar, Racing BullsKym Illman (Getty Images)
Kym Illman (Getty Images)
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Max Verstappen, Red Bull RacingGiuseppe Cacace – AFP – Getty Images
Giuseppe Cacace – AFP – Getty Images
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, MercedesGiuseppe Cacace – AFP – Getty Images
Giuseppe Cacace – AFP – Getty Images
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin RacingZak Mauger / Motorsport Images
Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, MercedesGiuseppe Cacace – AFP – Getty Images
Giuseppe Cacace – AFP – Getty Images
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Max Verstappen, Red Bull RacingSam Bloxham / Motorsport Images
Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images
Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing
Lance Stroll, Aston Martin RacingZak Mauger / Motorsport Images
Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
Carlos Sainz, Williams
Carlos Sainz, WilliamsSam Bagnall / Motorsport Images
Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin RacingZak Mauger / Motorsport Images
Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, FerrariSteven Tee / Motorsport Images
Steven Tee / Motorsport Images
Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team
Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 TeamPeter Fox – Getty Images
Peter Fox – Getty Images
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 TeamPeter Fox – Getty Images
Peter Fox – Getty Images
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Max Verstappen, Red Bull RacingMark Thompson – Getty Images
Mark Thompson – Getty Images
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, MercedesBryn Lennon – Formula 1
Bryn Lennon – Formula 1
Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls
Isack Hadjar, Racing BullsRudy Carezzevoli / Motorsport Images
Rudy Carezzevoli / Motorsport Images
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, FerrariAndrej Isakovic – AFP – Getty Images
Andrej Isakovic – AFP – Getty Images
Jak Crawford, Aston Martin F1 Team
Jak Crawford, Aston Martin F1 TeamZak Mauger / Motorsport Images
Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber, Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber
Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber, Gabriel Bortoleto, SauberAndy Hone / Motorsport Images
Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, MercedesSteven Tee / Motorsport Images
Steven Tee / Motorsport Images
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, FerrariClive Mason – Getty Images
Clive Mason – Getty Images
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